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cnbc.com
Oil tankers transiting Strait of Hormuz 'must be very careful,' Iran Foreign Ministry warns
The price of crude oil has sharply spiked as the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed as the United States and Israel wage war on Iran.
cnbc.com
Anthropic sues Trump administration over Pentagon blacklist
The lawsuit says Anthropic is being harmed "irreparably" and could lose hundreds of millions of dollars.
cnbc.com
China exports sharply beat expectations as trade surplus in the first two months surges to highest on record
China typically combines January and February trade data to smooth distortions from the shifting Lunar New Year holiday.
cnbc.com
Oil extends slide as investors assess Trump comments on Iran war, Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices plunged after Trump warned that Tehran would be hit "twenty times harder" if it attempted to halt oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
bbc.com
Reeves to look at how to help households with heating oil bills
The chancellor said a meeting on Wednesday will explore ways to help households.
bbc.com
Oil prices fall after Trump warns Iran over Strait of Hormuz
The oil price reached nearly $120 a barrel on Monday over fears of lengthy disruption to supplies.
cnbc.com
Asia markets rebound as oil plunges after Trump signals Iran war might end 'soon'
Asia-Pacific markets rebounded from Monday's rout after oil prices fell and Wall Street bounced back.
bbc.com
How worried are Americans about rising petrol prices?
The BBC spoke to New Yorkers about how the conflict in Iran is driving up prices at the pump - and how it's impacting their wallets.
cnbc.com
Trump says Iran war will end 'very soon,' predicts lower oil prices
U.S. stock market indexes rose earlier in the day after an initial report that President Donald Trump said he believed the Iran war was largely finished.
bbc.com
GPS jamming: The invisible battle in the Middle East
GPS jamming has made navigation hazardous in the Gulf, spurring efforts to develop alternatives.
theguardian.com
Why has the Iran war sparked fears of stagflation for the global economy?
Conflict in the Middle East risks knocking growth worldwide and boosting prices, economists warn, amid global market turbulenceMiddle East crisis – live updatesOil prices surged on Monday, triggering a stark sell-off across some of the world’s leading stock markets amid growing concern that the US-Israel war on Iran could set the stage for a global economic shock.While they fell back on Tuesday after Donald Trump suggested the Middle East conflict could end “very soon”, oil continues to trade at high levels. Continue reading...
bbc.com
G7 to take 'necessary measures' to support energy supplies
Finance ministers and the IEA discussed options for stabilising oil prices which surpassed $100.
cnbc.com
Anthropic was the Pentagon's choice for AI. Now it's banned and experts are worried
Anthropic's partnerships with Amazon and Palantir helped it make inroads into the DOD, and its blacklisting is concerning to many industry experts.
bbc.com
Why the price of oil matters more than you might think
A shock to oil supplies is rattling financial markets, driving up prices at the pump and raising fears of a bigger economic hit.
bbc.com
Anthropic sues US government for calling it a risk
The artificial intelligence company has been in a public fight with US government leaders over use of its tools like Claude
cnbc.com
There's another energy market that may get hit harder than oil by Strait of Hormuz closure
Roughly 20% of global liquefied natural gas flows through the Strait.
cnbc.com
10-year Treasury yield falls as oil reverses spike
The 10-year Treasury yield initially moved higher before pulling back on Monday as oil prices at first moved past $100 a barrel, then later declined.
theguardian.com
UK inflation likely to rise because of Middle East war, says Rachel Reeves
Chancellor says she is ready to help households with rising costs but stops short of setting out specific stepsMiddle East crisis – live updatesBritain is likely to be hit by rising inflation because of the US war with Iran, the chancellor has said, as she suggested a “rapid de-escalation” would be the best protection against a jump in energy prices.Rachel Reeves stopped short of setting out any new relief for people who could be hit by rising prices, rebuffing calls to ditch a planned 5p rise in fuel duty in September.The price of Brent crude oil rocketed to as high as $119.50 on Sunday, a jump of 29%.The Bank of England is now expected to keep interest rates on hold through 2026, with a small possibility of a rise in 2027.The prospect of a prolonged conflict and higher inflation also pushed global markets lower.The AA said drivers could “consider cutting out some non-essential journeys and changing their driving style to conserve fuel”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
We may not be running out of gas but we still need a serious strategic gas reserve | Nils Pratley
While the set-up in Great Britain looks secure for now, the Iran war shows why more storage seems essential Alarmed that Great Britain has only enough gas in storage to cover two days of consumption? Actually, Michael Shanks, the energy minister, is right that the bald statistic is not a reason to run for the hills. But he would help his case if he admitted that the long era of running a “just-in-time” approach to gas supplies looks increasingly unworkable.Shanks is obviously correct that Great Britain does not source its supplies from storage. About 75% of our gas comes from the North Sea – from domestic fields and via the 725-mile underwater Langeled pipeline from Norway – and neither source is affected by the war in Iran. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on the Iran crisis exposing Britain’s energy vulnerability: clean power offers protection | Editorial
The war reveals Britain’s exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices. More North Sea drilling will not shield households, building domestic green energy willWhat should Britain do when war in the Middle East sends energy prices soaring? If the strait of Hormuz were blocked for the month of fighting that Donald Trump predicts, British households could face another brutal cost of living shock. Goldman Sachs warns of prices at the pump rising to 2022 levels. That would put more than 50p on each litre in the tank. Prolonged disruption to global gas supplies could see energy bills in the UK rise by £900 to £2,500 a year. Such uncertainty strengthens the case for going big on clean energy.Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, has grasped this reality. By contrast, the Conservatives and Reform UK are doubling down on domestic fossil fuel extraction. The debate is framed around a simple claim of energy security: drill more at home. But the argument is rhetorical. Britain might export a bit more crude and have a smidgen more gas. But it would still need to import refined fuels and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Households would remain exposed to global energy shocks. Clean electricity, by contrast, cuts gas demand and reduces exposure to volatile markets. The political pressures are jobs, tax revenues and the economies of Scotland and north-east England tied to a declining asset.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Golf club firm owned by Trump’s sons merges with drone manufacturer
Merger to take drone firm public is latest business move by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr as father is in White HouseSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA golf club company backed by the sons of Donald Trump is merging with drone manufacturer Powerus in a deal designed to take the drone technology company public.The merger with Aureus Greenway Holdings is the latest in Eric and Donald Trump Jr’s growing investments in the drone sector, following last month’s $1.5bn tie-up between Israeli drone maker XTEND and Florida-based JFB Construction Holdings. Drones have become a major procurement priority for the Pentagon and are widely used in Ukraine, where dense air defense systems near the frontlines limit the deployment of conventional aircraft. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
How high could oil prices go – and what might the global economic fallout be?
Crude prices could surpass their 2008 record, with potentially dire effects for consumers and businessesFears over the global economy have been stoked by the oil price soaring past $100 a barrel as a result of the US-Israel war with Iran.Economists say the increasing likelihood of a prolonged conflict in the vital energy exporting region could have serious consequences for living standards around the world amid the threat of a renewed inflation shock. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
X suspends 800m accounts in one year amid ‘massive’ scale of manipulation attempts
Social media company tells MPs of continual fight against state-backed efforts, with Russia being most prolificElon Musk’s X said it had suspended 800m accounts over a 12-month period as it fights the “massive” scale of attempts to manipulate the platform.The social media company told MPs it was continually fighting state-backed attempts to hijack the agenda on its network, with Russia the most prolific state actor, followed by Iran and China. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Ben Jennings on Donald Trump, Iran and surging oil prices – cartoon
Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Iran's strategic oil island thrust into the spotlight as Middle East conflict escalates
Kharg Island serves as the centerpiece for Iran's oil industry, accounting for roughly 90% of the country’s crude exports.
cnbc.com
Amazon's Zoox expands robotaxi testing to Phoenix and Dallas
Zoox will start by deploying a fleet of retrofitted Toyota Highlander SUVs, before rolling out its toaster-shaped robotaxis for testing.
cnbc.com
European markets close lower as oil price surges amid Middle East turmoil
European stocks started the new trading week sharply lower as traders tracked developments in the Middle East and a surge in oil prices.
theguardian.com
AI firm Anthropic sues US defense department over blacklisting
Lawsuits come after Pentagon labeled Anthropic a ‘supply chain risk’, a decision the company says is unlawfulSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxAnthropic filed two lawsuits against the Department of Defense on Monday, alleging that the government’s decision to label the artificial intelligence firm a “supply chain risk” was unlawful and violated its first amendment rights. The two sides have been locked in a monthslong heated feud over the company’s attempt to implement safeguards against the military’s potential use of its AI models for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous lethal weapons.The lawsuits, which Anthropic filed in the northern district court of California and the US court of appeals for the Washington DC Circuit, come after the Pentagon formally issued the supply chain risk designation last Thursday, the first time the blacklisting tool has been used against a US company. The AI firm previously vowed to challenge the designation and its demand that any company that does business with the government cut all ties with Anthropic, a serious threat to its business model. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Iran war impacts heating oil bills for homeowners
Some residents say they have seen prices more than double since the conflict started.
cnbc.com
Prediction markets face questions on Iran war bets, from regime change to nuclear detonation
Prediction markets are facing backlash over bets related to war, with Polymarket recently archiving some predictions on nuclear detonation.
cnbc.com
‘Sky is the limit’: Analysts warn oil prices could surge further
Energy analysts warned that oil prices could continue to rise in response to the war in the Middle East.
cnbc.com
The U.S.-Iran war is the biggest oil supply disruption in history
The global oil market will need to balance by destroying demand through sharply rising oil prices, according to Rapidan Energy.
theguardian.com
First minister pledges help with costs of ‘horrific’ fire next to Glasgow Central station
John Swinney expresses ‘huge relief’ that no one was hurt in blaze believed to have started in vape shopScotland’s first minister has pledged to help deal with the costs of the “horrific” fire that has closed Glasgow Central station for at least two days and gutted a Victorian office block.John Swinney said it was a huge relief there had been no injuries, but that there would be significant financial costs from the fire, which caused chaos for the city’s commuters and the cancellation of west coast main line services to Glasgow. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Roman Abramovich ready to fight UK government over proceeds from £2.5bn Chelsea sale
Russian oligarch says money is his to allocate despite international sanctions imposed on his assetsThe Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has stepped up his row with the British government over the £2.5bn proceeds of his sale of Chelsea FC, insisting that the money is his to allocate despite the international sanctions imposed on his assets.The UK and EU imposed sanctions on Abramovich in 2022, freezing his assets in response to Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, citing his ties to Vladimir Putin’s regime. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
How will war in the Middle East affect your finances?
Surging energy prices and tumbling stock markets are threatening a new UK cost of living crisisWar in Middle East ‘could wipe out growth in UK living standards’The war in the Middle East is continuing to tighten the screw on the finances of people around the world. Stock markets have fallen and the oil price has surged over $100 a barrel for the first time in four years – fuelling fears of a new cost of living crisis.Here is how it could affect your bills, spending and investments if you live in the UK. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Congressional Democrats demand reversal of Russian oil sales into India as energy prices soar
Russia is reportedly helping Iran target U.S. forces in the Middle East and could now benefit from a windfall of new oil and gas sales.
cnbc.com
The Iran war has put the brakes on the next Bank of England rate cut
Before the war in Iran erupted, the Bank of England was widely predicted to be set to cut interest rates in March or April. Don't count on it, economists say.
theguardian.com
Live Nation reaches surprise settlement with justice department in antitrust case
Live Nation will pay $280m to states in lawsuit, and Ticketmaster will open parts of platform to rival companiesSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxLive Nation, which owns Ticketmaster, has reached a surprise settlement with the Department of Justice in its antitrust case just one week after the trial began.Under the agreement, Live Nation will create a $280m settlement fund for states that participated in the lawsuit and Ticketmaster will be required to open parts of its platform to rival ticketing companies, Live Nation announced Monday. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
From press release … to scrap metal site: the Essex ‘supercomputer’ that’s still a scaffolding yard
Nscale’s AI project still in use as depot ahead of pledged completion date – with planning permission filed after Guardian’s inquiriesRevealed: UK’s multibillion AI drive is built on ‘phantom investments’The press releases announcing a gleaming supercomputer on the outskirts of north London depict a glass and concrete building, rising from a tree-lined street. Accompanied by images of glowing blue robot faces, it looks like the centre of a technological revolution.By the end of this year, that artist’s impression is supposed to be a reality. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Rural households feel the pinch of war in Iran
North Yorkshire residents using oil tanks to fuel their homes say bills are soaring.
theguardian.com
Yorkshire Water receives fresh funding despite sewage fines and pay row
Private equity group EQT to take 42% stake as supplier faces scrutiny over environmental record and CEO’s payBusiness live – latest updatesA leading European investor will pump fresh funding into Yorkshire Water including helping to cover a £600m loan, despite recent heavy sewage fines and a scandal over executive pay at the utility company.EQT, a Swedish private equity group, said on Monday it would take a 42% stake in Kelda Holdings, the Jersey-registered parent company of Yorkshire Water, which has 5.7 million customers across Yorkshire and parts of the East Midlands and Lincolnshire. Continue reading...
bbc.com
How the Iran war may affect your bills and finances
The conflict in the Middle East could raise the cost of petrol, household energy bills and even food.
cnbc.com
Oil shock prompts South Korea to impose fuel price cap for the first time in 30 years
Lee Jae Myung would "swiftly introduce" a fuel price cap, adding that Seoul will explore ways to diversify its energy import sources
theguardian.com
British AI datacentre firm Nscale raises $2bn as Sheryl Sandberg and Nick Clegg join board
London-based startup, which is vital to the government’s artificial intelligence ambitions, is now valued at $14.6bn UK’s multibillion AI drive is built on ‘phantom investments’The Essex supercomputer that’s still a scaffolding yardBusiness live – latest updatesNscale, a UK company vital to the government’s AI ambitions, has raised $2bn (£1.5bn) in a funding round and appointed the former Meta executives Sheryl Sandberg and Nick Clegg to its board of directors.It brings the valuation of the London-based startup, which is backed by the US tech company Nvidia, to $14.6bn, it said in a statement, and follows a $1.1bn funding round the company raised last September. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
GOP Whip Tom Emmer predicts oil prices will drop after Iran war
Oil prices spiked amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel war with Iran, stoking affordability fears ahead of the November midterm elections.
theguardian.com
Is the UK government prepared for oil price hikes? – podcast
Oil prices have already shot up thanks to the US-Israeli war in Iran. But what is the economic fallout likely to be? Will interest rates rise? What about inflation? Could the cost of borrowing increase – and by how much? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss how the cost of living might be hit and the political implications of that Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Why China can withstand oil's surge past $100 more easily than other countries
The latest Middle East tensions sheds light on how the world's three largest oil consumers have taken different approaches to energy, with global consequences.
bbc.com
Six ways the Iran war could affect you - in charts
With fuel and gas prices having risen in recent days, here are some ways the conflict could affect households.
cnbc.com
Nvidia backs AI data center startup Nscale as it hits $14.6 billion valuation
Nscale has become a key player in the AI infrastructure buildout
theguardian.com
Small business owners doubt they’ll see refunds after supreme court invalidates Trump’s tariffs
Ruling could free $175bn, but legal hurdles and higher costs have left businesses questioning if claims are even worth itThe US supreme court recently struck down Donald Trump’s tariffs, opening the door to up to $175bn in refunds for businesses that paid the import taxes. However, the process for claiming that money is by no means certain. Trump himself said that the issue could be tied up in courts “for the next five years”.Across the country, small businesses have struggled to navigate the fallout from Trump’s global tariff wars. The Guardian asked small business owners in the US how their lives and livelihoods have been affected. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Nigel Farage invests £215,000 in Kwasi Kwarteng’s bitcoin firm
Reform UK leader strengthens ties with crypto sector with stake in former Tory chancellor’s company Stack BTCBusiness live – latest updatesNigel Farage has invested in Kwasi Kwarteng’s bitcoin reserves company, as the leader of Reform UK aligns himself closer with the cryptocurrency industry.The MP has invested £215,000 in Stack BTC, the crypto business that is chaired by the former Conservative chancellor. Continue reading...
bbc.com
How high could UK petrol and diesel prices go?
For every $10 rise in oil prices, motorists face paying roughly 7p per litre more in the UK.
theguardian.com
How AI firm Anthropic wound up in the Pentagon’s crosshairs
Standoff with DoD over Claude chatbot reignites debate over how AI will be used in war – and who will be held accountableUntil recently, Anthropic was one of the quieter names in the artificial intelligence boom. Despite being valued at about $350bn, it rarely generated the flashy headlines or public backlash associated with Sam Altman’s OpenAI or Elon Musk’s xAI. Its CEO and co-founder Dario Amodei was an industry fixture but hardly a household name outside of Silicon Valley, and its chatbot Claude lagged in popularity behind ChatGPT.That perception has shifted as Anthropic has become the central actor in a high-profile fight with the Department of Defense over the company’s refusal to allow Claude to be used for domestic mass surveillance and autonomous weapons systems that can kill people without human input. Amid tense negotiations, the AI firm rejected a Pentagon deadline for a deal last week, in a move that led Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, to accuse Anthropic of “arrogance and betrayal” of its home country while demanding that any companies that work with the US government cease all business with the AI firm. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Top US banks weigh suing federal regulator over crypto banking rules
Exclusive: Bank Policy Institute, representing lenders such as JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs, argues that new licenses could harm US consumers and financial systemSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxSome of the largest US banks are considering suing their financial regulator, arguing that a new raft of licenses for crypto, payment and fintech could put American consumers and the wider financial system at risk.The Bank Policy Institute (BPI), which represents 40 of the biggest US lenders including JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, is understood to be weighing its legal options after the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) failed to heed repeated warnings from influential banking groups and state regulators over its reinterpretation of federal licensing rules. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
U.S. orders staff to leave Saudi Arabia as war spreads; Iran rules out immediate ceasefire
The U.S. ordered non-emergency government staff to leave Saudi Arabia as the widening Iran war rattled global markets.
bbc.com
Asia governments to cap fuel prices as oil costs jump
The price of crude has surged above $100 on concerns about shortages due to supply disruptions.
cnbc.com
China consumer inflation hits three-year high as producer deflation eases
China's consumer inflation recorded the biggest jump in more than three years, as an extended holiday bolstered spending.
cnbc.com
Asia markets moderate losses after reported Saudi oil release slightly ease prices
Markets cut losses later in the session as a reported release of Saudi Arabian crude on the market eased oil prices.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Oil storms past $100 for first time since 2022
Shortly after the surge, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that "short term oil prices" are "a very small price to pay."
theguardian.com
How the ‘Galápagos of west Africa’ is plundered by floating fish factories
A Guardian investigation with DeSmog reveals thousands of tonnes of fish are illegally turned into fishmeal and oil off the coast of Guinea-BissauThe only ice factory on Bubaque, an island in west Africa’s Guinea-Bissau, is out of service. Local fishers, such as Pedro Luis Pereira, are forced to source ice from factories on the mainland, about 70km away – a six-hour round trip by boat.“The machines have been broken for months,” Pereira says, as he pulls in his nets on the shore of the island inside the protected Bijagós archipelago. “We’ve alerted the ministry of fisheries, but so far, no one has come to fix them.”Foreign industrial vessels anchored near the port of Bissau. Photograph: Davide Mancini Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Travelodge turned away vulnerable women late at night
They were far from home but it refused to let them stay without specific ID to prove they were over 18My disabled 22-year-old daughter and her 20-year-old sister were turned away late at night by Travelodge Cambridge Orchard Park because staff would not accept that they were over 18. Their rail and student cards showing their dates of birth were not accepted.I called the hotel and offered to scan their passports but this was refused as well. The customer service helpline was similarly unhelpful. By then it was nearly 10pm and they had nowhere else to go. The 22-year-old is autistic and when she goes anywhere we always have to have her itinerary pre-planned and someone to be with her. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Global week ahead: Diplomacy in ruins as G7 meets on Iran
G7 finance ministers and central bank governors are set to convene for a key meeting as diplomatic tensions escalate over the Iran conflict.
theguardian.com
Gambling crackdown in Romania as councils can ban ‘toxic’ betting shops
At least nine cities to pursue full bans as emergency decree gives decisive veto powers to mayors and local councilsRomania’s government has overhauled gambling regulations through an emergency decree allowing municipalities to restrict or ban betting shops and slot machine halls in the biggest tightening of the industry the country has seen.Licensed operators must now obtain not only a national permit but also local authorisation to open a gambling venue, giving mayors and local councils a decisive veto power. Officials say more than 200 localities could pursue full bans. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Spain's migrants welcome amnesty: 'It will help us in every way'
Madrid cites humanitarian and economic reasons to give undocumented workers legal status.
theguardian.com
Britain’s job market ‘floundering’ as companies remain cautious about hiring
Data shows labour market is still in a fragile position due to economic uncertainty, with few signs of recoveryBritain’s jobs market is “floundering” amid weak hiring demand, with only limited signs of recovery, data has revealed.Companies remain cautious about hiring staff amid cost pressures and economic uncertainty, according to two reports released on Monday. They show the labour market continues to be in a fragile position. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Iran names Ayatollah Khamenei's son, Mojtaba, as new supreme leader: Media reports
Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates report more strikes on civilian targets as U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran continue.
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on EV charging: China took the right lessons from Britain’s past | Editorial
Megawatt fast EV charging reflects a coordinated grid strategy the UK once used. Privatisation and fragmentation now make that infrastructure far harder to buildThe future of electric cars arrived this week in China. The world’s biggest car seller, BYD, unveiled a new battery giving its latest electric models more than 600 miles of range. Remarkably, the Chinese motor-maker said 250 miles of range could be injected into its new batteries in just five minutes. If true, the last remaining advantages of petrol cars – long range and quick refuelling – are beginning to disappear.But such technology requires megawatt charging points. A single charger can draw as much power as a small town in Britain. BYD’s system relies on chargers delivering around 1.5 megawatts of electricity – more than four times the fastest chargers in the UK. China is moving fast, planning thousands of megawatt charging stations within two years.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘People are thinking twice’: Cyprus feels the effect of the Iran war on tourism
No country in Europe is likely to be affected more than Cyprus, the nearest EU member to the Middle EastThe season has barely begun but Ayia Napa is beginning to feel the pulse. Tourists are trickling back, enjoying the Cypriot resort’s sunsets, eateries and shoreline views.On the seafront, Vassilis Georgiou is busy overseeing the construction of a new ramp for the jetskis that are a highlight of his water sports business. Last year, more than 500,000 holidaymakers visited the beachside booth, snapping up tickets for the boat cruises and parasailing also on offer. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK must be prepared for a price shock from the Iran war | Heather Stewart
Governments are having to wake up to the fact they will have to take a closer interest in supply chains for essentialsOil prices ‘could breach $100 a barrel within days’ amid supply disruption from Iran warDonald Trump’s assault on Iran and the deadly conflict it has unleashed is grim and unprecedented – but there is a familiarity to its economic consequences: brace yourself for another price shock.From the Covid shutdown and subsequent reopening to Russian tanks rolling into Ukraine, the global economy has been rocked by one cost surge after another. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Current and former Block workers say AI can’t do their jobs after Jack Dorsey’s mass layoffs: ‘You can’t really AI that’
The CEO said he cut the company’s workforce by 4,000 people – almost in half – because of gains in AI productivityMark remembers the first time he wondered whether he was teaching Block’s AI tools how to do his job – and maybe even replace him. He was at his fintech company’s extravagant anniversary party last September. As executives led a presentation on the productivity benefits of a new internal AI tool, Mark, who worked in the product department, discussed his worries with colleagues. While he wasn’t sure what would happen in a few years, he told a co-worker sitting next to him that for now, there was no way the technology was so advanced that it could move the business forward without employees like him to help drive vision and strategy.These AI tools were not proactive. He had to tell them what to do. Block still needed him, he thought. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
White House worries as gas prices jump amid ongoing US-Israel war on Iran
US drivers are largely insulated from higher oil prices caused by Middle East turmoil – but only to a pointSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxAcross the US, the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline has jumped nearly 27 cents in a week, to $3.25, and American consumers are bracing for higher prices at the gas pump as the US-Israel conflict with Iran threatens to disrupt the global oil supply.That fear has entered the White House too, where Donald Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, is reportedly hunting for ideas to lower gasoline prices and officials are getting “screamed at” to bring good news, according to Politico. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Tehran oil sites on fire as Iran exchanges strikes with Israel and US – video report
A huge column of fire and smoke could be seen rising from an oil depot in the Iranian capital in video shared on social media.Footage from central Tehran shows fires across the skyline as the US and Israel hit five oil facilities in overnight strikes in and near the city, an official told state TV.A fresh wave of Iranian strikes hit the Gulf on Sunday, with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait all reporting attacksMiddle East crisis: latest updates Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Tech oligarchs reshape humanity while billionaires of old seem quaint
From Gates to Musk and Altman, today’s ultra-rich steer AI and tech, raising questions about who decides the futureWhen Bill Gates became the first modern IT mogul to reach the apex of wealth and power in 1992, the world was a very different place. Gates joined the top 10 on Forbes magazine’s billionaires list alongside Japanese, German, Canadian, South Korean and Swedish billionaires, including those with family fortunes from Britain and America. A broad mix of industries was on the list: Retail and media, property management and packaging, an investment firm and a couple of industrial conglomerates. Their fortunes almost added up to $100bn – equivalent to about 0.4% of the US’s GDP that year.The oligarchy has changed drastically since then. Bernard Arnault, of French luxury group LVMH, Amancio Ortega, the Spanish clothing mogul, and Warren Buffett, the US investor, were the only old-school billionaires among the top 10 in 2025. The rest largely made their money from high-tech: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison, Steve Ballmer and Google’s Sergey Brin and Larry Page. The top 10 amassed over $16trn, which is about 8% of US GDP. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Is Glasgow losing the spaces that made it an arts powerhouse?
The closing of a cluster of leading creative venues has led to dismay and intensified fears the hubs that fostered Glasgow’s celebrated arts scene are disappearingBy the time Daisy Mulholland arrived, the locks had already been changed. The Glaswegian artist, had been organising the launch event for her new art shop at the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) when she got an email telling her the Sauchiehall Street venue – and cornerstone of the city’s art scene since it was founded as the Third Eye Centre in 1974 – was closing with immediate effect.“The event was the following day: we had 250 tickets sold, we’d done so many rehearsals, and inside there were lighting rigs, performers’ equipment, shop stock. It was truly heartbreaking,” she says. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
China says 'thorough preparations' needed as Trump-Xi meeting hangs in the balance amid Iran war
China's top diplomat Wang Yi signaled preparations are underway for a planned meeting between the presidents of the U.S. and China.
theguardian.com
Life on Kenya’s largest dump: the invisible workers sorting the world’s rubbish
Plastic, textiles, e-waste and more end up at the vast Dandora site, where waste pickers spend all hours sifting through toxic debris looking for recyclablesOn my journey documenting environmental stories in Kenya, I attended the Africa Climate Summit in 2023. It ignited a deeper exploration into the lives of waste pickers, revealing a glaring omission in global recycling narratives: the invisibility of these essential workers.Living and working in Nairobi, I immersed myself in Dandora, the largest dump in Kenya, spanning more than 12 hectares (30 acres) near the Nairobi River and receiving an estimated 2,000 tonnes of industrial and domestic waste daily. For months I witnessed first-hand how waste is devastating local ecosystems and human lives. Kenya’s waste streams are now overwhelmed by single-use plastics from companies shifting the burden on to informal workers.Pre-sorting has reduced the amount of recylables in the waste brought by truck to Dandora Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The £49 ‘driller killer’: steps to avoid locksmith scams
Rogue operators draw in customers by advertising low prices, but when the work is done they invoice 10 times that sumLate on a Sunday night, you put your key into the front door and it snaps when you turn it. Unable to get in, you search online for an emergency locksmith and find one advertising a willingness to do the job for £69. You call it out.When the locksmith arrives, they ask no questions, drills through the lock within minutes and replaces the fixture. You are then given a bill for more than £700 with an invoice detailing a breakdown of the costs – all in excess of the original quote. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Did baby boomers eat all the pies? John Lanchester on the truth about the generation gap
It’s a grim time to be in your 20s, no doubt, but don’t blame it all on older people: being chopped up into ever smaller rivalries only serves the marketIntergenerational relations, or lack of them, is a subject I’ve been thinking about, on and off, since the financial crisis. I’ve read up on it, too – things such as the Institute for Fiscal Studies’ report on intergenerational earnings mobility, which is wonky but full of fascinating information which needs some parsing. (Example: “While the educational attainment of ethnic minorities growing up in families eligible for free school meals is often higher than that of their white majority peers, their earnings outcomes show no such advantage.” Why not?) Another good source of data is the Office for Budgetary Responsibility’s (OBR) report on intergenerational fairness – which, interestingly, is about the bluntest statement of fiscal unfairness that you can find. The OBR makes the point that “a current new-born baby would make an average net discounted contribution to the exchequer of £68,400 over its life-time, whilst future generations would have to contribute £159,700”. In plain English, people’s lifetime contribution to the state is going to double. That number is from 2011, and will definitely have got worse. In 2019, the House of Lords published a report on “Tackling intergenerational unfairness”, which doesn’t even bother pretending that the problem doesn’t exist. Mind you, not everyone agrees. A 2023 report from Imperial College Business School argues “there is more solidarity between generations than the ‘Millennials versus Boomers’ narrative would suggest”.So this is definitely a question you can address through data – though there is a risk that you can use numbers to cherrypick your way to a conclusion you already held in advance. The other way of thinking about it is through lived experience. Not necessarily just your own. I often find myself thinking about the range of experiences and expectations in my own family, going no further than one generation back and one generation forward. I’m on the cusp between boomers and generation X. My children, both in their 20s, are firmly in generation Z. My parents were born in the 20s, in the west of Ireland and in South Africa. Between us, it’s a wildly different set of life stories, and chucking it into the capacious carpet bag labelled “generational differences” seems to me to be a violent oversimplification. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Airline groundings expose depth of world travel’s reliance on Gulf corridor
Restart of operations will be a relief to those stranded but may not dispel doubts raised by past week about key transit hubAfter nearly a week of uncertainty, airspace closures and very limited flights, news that hundreds of thousands of passengers around the world were hanging on for emerged: the Gulf-based carrier Emirates was restarting operations in earnest despite the US-Israel war on Iran.Those relieved by the restart will include the UK’s Foreign Office, after its travails in organising delayed rescue flights out of neighbouring Oman. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Mainly, you fast fooded’: Monzo under fire over ‘shaming’ year-end reviews
Bank criticised for tone of spending summaries, with one user complaining to ombudsman over ‘humiliating’ use of dataWhen does lighthearted banter become inappropriate and humiliating?The digital bank Monzo has been accused of overstepping the mark by using the data it holds to tell one customer with a past eating disorder that she eats a lot of fast food, spends “more than most” on Just Eat takeaways, and had banished her life goals thanks to her spending choices. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Revealed: the new affordable commuter hotspots in Great Britain
The lowdown on journey times, season ticket costs and average house prices in places you should know aboutIn pictures: homes for sale in new commuter hotspots in EnglandThe commuter belt is being redrawn. During Covid, in the hope that remote working would stick, buyers broke free from conventions and transformed the housing map. A race for space – and to the coast and rural areas – were the stories of the pandemic.As the call back to the office intensified, this trend unwound and homebuyers began targeting the more traditional commuter zones once again. Unfortunately, the homebuying landscape is very different to five years ago and some of those locations are unaffordable. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Emirates resumes some Dubai flights – what's the latest on travel to UK?
New flights to the UK from the Middle East follow days of widespread air travel disruption since late February which has left many Britons stranded.
bbc.com
There’s an inflation wave coming - what does the Iran war mean for the UK economy?
Economic consequences are an intrinsic aspect of the Iran conflict, writes BBC economics editor Faisal Islam.
bbc.com
Oil price at two-year high after Qatar warns all Gulf production could stop within days
Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi says oil could hit $150 a barrel if the Iran conflict continues over the coming weeks.
bbc.com
Mayor Sadiq Khan invites embattled AI firm Anthropic to expand in London
The letter from London's mayor came as the US moved to designate the company a supply chain risk.
bbc.com
Flight paths squeezed as Iran conflict closes more airspace
A drone attack on Azerbaijan has narrowed choices for airlines scrambling to respond to disruption in the Gulf.
bbc.com
Axel Springer agrees to buy Telegraph Media Group in £575m deal
Last year the Daily Mail and General Trust proposed to buy the company in a £500m takeover.
bbc.com
Surge in jet fuel prices could push up air fares, analysts warn
Disruption to supplies from the Gulf due to the Middle East conflict has pushed the cost up by more than 80%.
bbc.com
US economy unexpectedly sheds 92,000 jobs in February
The contraction came as a surprise with payrolls down in nearly every sector.
bbc.co.uk
What in the World
Iran says it has closed the vital shipping channel to global trade.
bbc.com
Price of first class stamps to rise to £1.80
Royal Mail says the increase reflects the rise in delivery costs, but the move angers consumer groups.
bbc.com
Lenders lift mortgage rates as Iran war hits borrowing costs
Nationwide, HSBC and Coventry Building Society are all putting some mortgage rates up.
bbc.com
Heating oil costs 'worrying' for rural residents
The price of heating oil has risen amid the Middle East conflict, hitting many in rural areas.
bbc.com
US eases sanctions on Russian oil sales to India during Iran conflict
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent gives India a 30-day waiver to buy Russian crude as a "stop gap measure".
bbc.com
Anthropic vows to sue Pentagon over supply chain risk label
The supply chain risk designation of the artificial intelligence firm is a first for a US company.
cnbc.com
Why the world's top-performing stock market in 2025 is seeing historic volatility
South Korea's stock market has swung wildly in recent days, underscoring how the world's best-performing equities market last year can also be among its most volatile.
bbc.com
Can snacks help you sleep?
Chocolates, bars, gummies and drinks promise to help you sleep, but is the science behind them sound?
bbc.com
One in 7 shops in UK has turned cashless in the past year, survey finds
Some 14% of small High Street traders have gone card only in the last year, a survey suggests.
bbc.com
TfL hack in 2024 affected around 10 million people, BBC can reveal
TfL insists it has "kept customers informed throughout this incident and will continue to take all necessary action".
bbc.com
States sue Trump administration over new 'unlawful' global tariffs
The 24 states are seeking to block Trump's latest tariffs, which he imposed to replace levies struck down by the Supreme Court.
bbc.com
UK firms pull fixed energy deals as Iran war pushes up prices
Data suggests the number of fixed-term deals has more than halved as prices for wholesale energy surge.
theguardian.com
Will China own the green energy future? – podcast
The conflict in the Middle East has sent energy prices soaring, and for countries that import a high proportion of their fuel, it’s a reminder of the perils of energy dependence. As the recipient of almost 90% of Iran’s crude oil, China knows this only too well. Which partly explains why the country spent the last decade heavily investing in clean power.To find out what else could be driving the strategy, Madeleine Finlay speaks to senior China correspondent Amy Hawkins. And energy correspondent Jillian Ambrose reflects on how China’s ambitions could affect the rest of the worldSupport the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod Continue reading...
bbc.com
We have more privacy controls yet less privacy than ever
Has online privacy become "a luxury not a right" for us all in 2026?
bbc.com
Wales' richest man says Britain is 'uncomfortable place' for Jews
The billionaire says "anti-semitism is always in the air" with parallels to the persecution his ancestors faced.
bbc.com
Know when to fold them: the tech inspired by origami
Origami techniques can add strength to structures without adding bulk.
bbc.com
Deepfake attack: 'Many people could have been cheated'
The boss of the Bombay Stock Exchange was recently targeted in what is a growing global problem.
bbc.co.uk
Edible Economics by Ha-Joon Chang (Omnibus)
Professor Ha-Joon Chang, “a hungry economist” explores why economics matters.
bbc.com
Why you should consider fixing your energy tariff now
Martin Lewis explains what the upcoming change to the energy price cap means for your bills.
bbc.com
Why you can't get a signal at festivals and sports matches
Connecting up music and sports events to the internet is a massive undertaking.
bbc.com
'Is this all bad debt or good debt?'
Karen has not only left the family in emotional turmoil but also in serious debt.
bbc.com
The family-owned soda firm that still uses returnable glass bottles
Soft drinks company Twig's Beverage has a loyal following for its old-fashioned approach.
cnbc.com
Register now: Applications open for the World's Top Fintech Companies 2026
CNBC and Statista chart the top fintech players from around the world, ranging from startups to Big Tech names.
bbc.com
Orbital space race heats up in Arctic north
Europe lags far behind the US and China in orbital space launches, but new facilities are opening up.
bbc.com
Are you cut out for living and working in Antarctica?
Jobs are available on the icy continent for chefs, plumbers, carpenters and even hairdressers.
bbc.com
How do you modernise mango farming?
India's mango farmers are being urged to innovate as climate change makes cultivation "unpredictable".
bbc.com
The two farms in Senegal that supply many of the UK's vegetables
During winter in Britain fresh produce is sent by cargo ship from the West African nation every week.
bbc.com
Reddit's human content wins amid the AI flood
Reddit says its human contributors are valued amid an internet awash with AI-generated content.
bbc.com
Trump eyes Venezuela visit – but obstacles to his oil plan remain
The US president wants American energy firms to start extracting the crude but they are reluctant.
bbc.com
The US economy is growing - so where are all the jobs?
As hiring rates and job openings drop, some worry a tough job market could be here to stay.
bbc.com
Get a grip: Robotics firms struggle to develop hands
Developing a durable and affordable hand is one of the biggest challenges in robotics.
bbc.com
Who is billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and how did he make his money?
The industrialist and Manchester United co-owner has apologised over comments he made about immigration.
bbc.com
The Dutch love four-day working weeks, but are they sustainable?
The Netherlands has the lowest working hours in Europe, but some say it is harming its economy.
bbc.com
Why food fraud persists, even with improving tech
Even with sophisticated technology it is still difficult to detect fake foods.
bbc.com
The real impact of roadworks on the country - and why they're set to get worse
There is a fine balance between the benefits of improved infrastructure, versus the cost of disruption. Does the country have it right?
bbc.com
Why the railways often seem to be in such chaos over Christmas
Parts of Britain’s rail network will close for engineering work over the festive period - but is that the right time to do it?
bbc.com
Budget 2025: What's the best and worst that could happen for Labour?
Three days in, after a tax U-turn and partial climbdown on workers' rights, Laura Kuenssberg looks at what impact Budget week might have.
bbc.com
Has Britain's budget watchdog become too all-powerful?
Ahead of this week's Budget, some have accused the Office for Budget Responsibility of being a "straitjacket on growth"
bbc.com
The curious case of why Poundland is struggling during a cost-of-living crisis
Why - in an age where so many of us are feeling the financial pinch - are some budget shops on UK high streets having such a tough time?
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